THE AFL has today confirmed the fixture for AFL Rounds 23 and 24, setting up a blockbuster finish to the home-and-away season.

The final two rounds of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season will feature key matches across the country, with Round 24 also seeing the return of Kids Go Free in Victoria in collaboration with the Victorian Government.

Following a Thursday night stand-alone AFLW clash between Hawthorn and Melbourne at IKON Park, Round 23 will kick off with a Friday night clash between ladder leader, Fremantle, and the Adelaide Crows at Optus Stadium. 

Saturday's schedule features a series of matches with significant finals implications, including the Geelong Cats' trip to Marvel Stadium to face North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions hosting the Gold Coast SUNS at the Gabba. 

Two AFL matches will be held at the MCG on the same day in Round 23, with Richmond and St Kilda playing at the iconic venue at 12.35pm Saturday before a heavyweight showdown between Hawthorn and Collingwood on Saturday night.

To open Round 24, St Kilda will host the Gold Coast SUNS on a Thursday night at Marvel Stadium, before one of the marquee matches of the round as Collingwood take on the Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Friday night. 

Saturday's action in Round 24 includes Carlton’s clash with Fremantle at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne facing the Western Bulldogs at the MCG, the Geelong Cats hosting Richmond at GMHBA Stadium, and the Adelaide Crows meeting the GWS GIANTS at Adelaide Oval, with every result likely to play a role in shaping final ladder positions and the chance for a home final advantage.

The fixture also includes four AFL and AFLW double-headers, giving fans the chance to watch both competitions across the same venue on the same day.

Featured AFL and AFLW double-headers include:

  • Saturday, August 15 at Marvel Stadium: North Melbourne v Geelong Cats in AFLW at 1:00pm, followed by North Melbourne v Geelong Cats in the AFL at 3:45pm.  
  • Sunday, August 16 at ENGIE Stadium: GWS GIANTS v West Coast Eagles in the AFL at 1.40pm, followed by GWS GIANTS v West Coast Eagles in AFLW at 4.45pm.
  • Saturday, August 22 at GMHBA Stadium: Geelong Cats v St Kilda in AFLW at 5:00pm, followed by Geelong Cats v Richmond in the AFL at 7:45pm. 
  • Sunday, August 23 at the SCG: Sydney Swans v Essendon in AFLW at 12:30pm, followed by Sydney Swans v North Melbourne in the AFL at 3:20pm.  

AFL Head of Strategy and Scheduling, Josh Bowler said the final two rounds would provide fans with a thrilling finish to the home-and-away season.

“The final two rounds of the home-and-away season are set to play a significant role in shaping the finals picture, with a number of clubs still competing for top-four positions, home finals and places in September. Fans can look forward to several marquee matchups featuring some of the competition’s leading teams as the race to the 2026 Toyota AFL Finals Series reaches its conclusion.

“We’re also pleased to feature four AFL and AFLW double-headers across Rounds 23 and 24, providing supporters with more opportunities to experience both competitions, while the return of Kids Go Free in Victoria in Round 24 will help more families get along and enjoy the game as we build towards finals.”

Returning in 2026, in collaboration with the Victorian Government, Round 24 will also see Kids Go Free in Victoria, with children aged 14 years and under able to access free general admission entry* to the six matches played across the state.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos

“We’re helping young footy fans to cheer on their team for free.”

“Families are facing increased cost-of-living pressures – this means they can still experience world-class sport and major events.”

The Victorian Government will also support the free Footy Fest and Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade, two iconic moments in Grand Final week expected to welcome hundreds of thousands of fans to the precinct from across the country to share in the festivities of the week.

For more information on how to redeem the Kids Go Free in Victoria offer during Round 24, fans can visit Kids Go Free Victoria.

Ticketing information
Tickets for Round 23 and 24 matches at the MCG are scheduled to go on sale via Ticketek on Tuesday, 4 August, with the MCC Reserve from 10:00am, AFL Reserve from 11:00am, Club Members from 12:00pm and General Public from 3:00pm.

Tickets for Round 23 and 24 matches at Marvel Stadium are scheduled to go on sale via Ticketmaster on Tuesday, 4 August, with AFL Reserve from 10:00am, Club Members from 12:00pm and General Public from 3:00pm.

2026 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON FIXTURE, R23-24

ROUND 23

Friday, August 14
Fremantle v Adelaide, Optus Stadium, 6.10pm AWST

Saturday, August 15 
Richmond v St Kilda, MCG, 12.35pm AEST
North Melbourne v Geelong, Marvel Stadium, 3.45pm AEST
Brisbane v Gold Coast, Gabba, 4.15pm AEST
Hawthorn v Collingwood, MCG, 7.40pm AEST
Port Adelaide v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm ACST

Sunday, August 16
GWS v West Coast, Engie Stadium, 1.40pm AEST
Western Bulldogs v Carlton, Marvel Stadium, 3.15pm AEST
Essendon v Sydney, MCG, 4.40pm AEST

ROUND 24

Thursday, August 20
St Kilda v Gold Coast, Marvel Stadium, 7.30pm AEST

Friday, August 21
Collingwood v Brisbane, MCG, 7.40pm AEST

Saturday, August 22
Carlton v Fremantle, Marvel Stadium, 1.15pm AEST
Melbourne v Western Bulldogs, MCG, 4.15pm AEST
Geelong v Richmond, GMHBA Stadium, 7.45pm AEST
Adelaide v GWS, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm ACST 

Sunday, August 23
Essendon v Port Adelaide, Marvel Stadium, 12.20pm AEST
Sydney v North Melbourne, SCG, 3.20pm AEST
West Coast v Hawthorn, Optus Stadium, 5.20pm AWST